Stop Smoking

Smoking
irritates your lungs and interferes with the normal defenses that protect you against infection. If you
stop smoking
, your lungs will gradually heal themselves. Your doctor can recommend programs or
nicotine replacement systems
that can help you stop smoking.

Ask Your Doctor About Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin C
should be part of your daily diet. It is found in fruit (strawberries, papaya, and kiwi) and vegetables (peppers, broccoli, and peas). Women should get 75 mg of vitamin C per day, and men should get 90 mg. If you do not consume enough vitamin C in your diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking a supplement. Research studies suggest that vitamin C may prevent and treat
pneumonia
.

Zinc
is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell of the body. It is necessary for proper growth and immune function. If someone is deficient in this mineral, taking a daily zinc supplement may help to reduce the risk of developing pneumonia. Researchers have found that this is especially true for children who live in developing countries. If you want to take zinc or give it to your child, talk to the doctor first to find out if this is a good choice.

Use Precautions to Avoid Infections

Here are some basic steps to help you avoid infection and keep your lungs healthy:

Get Vaccinated

Influenza vaccine is given every fall. It protects you against the types of influenza that are predicted to be in your community that coming winter. You should get the flu shot yearly because having influenza puts you at a high risk of developing pneumonia.

Children should receive a series of pneumonia vaccines to prevent
Streptococcus pneumoniae
infections. A different pneumococcal vaccine should be given to adults 65 years and older and to people at risk of pneumonia.

Haemophilus vaccine is given to protect against a specific bacteria that can cause pneumonia or meningitis. This vaccine is given to children in the United States who are younger than 5 years old. It is often given to infants starting at 2 months of age.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Brooks WA, Santosham M, et al. Effect of weekly zinc supplements on incidence of pneumonia and diarrhoea in children younger than 2 years in an urban, low-income population in Bangladesh: randomised controlled trial.
Lancet.
2005;366(9490):999-1004.